Continental expands manufacturing and validation capabilities in India

The automotive supplier Continental announced the expansion of its manufacturing and validation competence in India. Continental, under its Powertrain division sets up the new test & validation lab for Fuel Supply Systems at its Bangalore development centre, while two product lines for Fuel Rail Assembly and in-tank Fuel Pumps are being inaugurated at the Pune facility.

The new lines added at the Pune plant will have the capacity of producing 1 million additional units of Fuel Rail Injectors and Fuel Pumps of different range. The test & validation lab for Fuel Supply Systems ensures local testing infrastructure and competence.  According to Joerg Laatsch, Head of Business Unit Engines Systems India “The localization of the Fuel Rail Assembly is a further milestone in coming closer to complete localized Gasoline Engine Management systems and support our strategy to serve our customers directly here in India”.

Continental is reportedly banking on its localization strategy and believes it is the key to its growth and success in the developing markets. With a high degree of localization of the value-added chain, Continental claims to be capable of offering high-end technology with global standards customized for the Indian market and more importantly at an affordable cost.  Continental collaborates its technical expertise and global exposure with the know-how of its Indian engineers and specialists. Earlier in 2011 Continental announced its strategy to double growth in India and make significant investments across its divisions and business units to spur growth.